More people vacation during the summer months than at any other time of year. And the topic
of “airport angina”—an old cardiology phrase—may be getting tossed around now more than usual. But what, exactly, does it mean?
Essentially, “airport angina” is a phrase coined to describe heart symptoms of ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart) that are provoked by hauling and lifting luggage. And getting angina when you’re far from home is always an unsettling experience.
Of course, we all know that there’s more to traveling than lugging luggage, regardless of your mode of transportation. But airports are fraught with a few more built-in stressors than other forms of travel, including:
So, the psychological stress combined with the isometric physical work of carrying your bags is sort of “like being in double handcuffs,” as Dr. Sinatra would say.
And, let’s face it, all traveling and vacationing has the potential for some family and other unpredictable stressors, in addition to the physical exertion of lifting bags onto “trains, planes, and automobiles.”
Dr. Sinatra will be addressing the topic of safe air travel for cardiac patients in an upcoming issue of Heart, Health, and Nutrition. And in a few days, I’ll post another blog on how heart patients can manage their luggage from a physical exertion standpoint. So, stay tuned!
For more information on angina and other cardiovascular problems, visit Dr. Sinatra’s Web site.
of “airport angina”—an old cardiology phrase—may be getting tossed around now more than usual. But what, exactly, does it mean? Essentially, “airport angina” is a phrase coined to describe heart symptoms of ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart) that are provoked by hauling and lifting luggage. And getting angina when you’re far from home is always an unsettling experience.
Of course, we all know that there’s more to traveling than lugging luggage, regardless of your mode of transportation. But airports are fraught with a few more built-in stressors than other forms of travel, including:
- scheduling and weather concerns;
- airport security;
- flight delays;
- cancelled flights and rerouting;
- tight connections and time urgency;
- dread about lost luggage; and so on.
So, the psychological stress combined with the isometric physical work of carrying your bags is sort of “like being in double handcuffs,” as Dr. Sinatra would say.
And, let’s face it, all traveling and vacationing has the potential for some family and other unpredictable stressors, in addition to the physical exertion of lifting bags onto “trains, planes, and automobiles.”
Dr. Sinatra will be addressing the topic of safe air travel for cardiac patients in an upcoming issue of Heart, Health, and Nutrition. And in a few days, I’ll post another blog on how heart patients can manage their luggage from a physical exertion standpoint. So, stay tuned!
For more information on angina and other cardiovascular problems, visit Dr. Sinatra’s Web site.








weight! Through the winter months, I convince myself that
and I have experienced several of them in exhibit halls at major health expos. You can imagine the numerous venders who propose many health benefits from using their products, particularly detoxification. The concept involves sitting with your feet in a small tub of water. Then, devices and solutions are added to promote detoxification. 
centuries past who is now recognized as the “Father of Medicine.” Hippocrates employed food to assist his patients in healing their physical ailments. With all our high tech medical approaches and complex pharmaceutical agents, it is amazing how much we have forgotten that simple approach!
our society. Sugar causes a myriad of health concerns from obesity and diabetes to high blood pressure levels and
Island, to see a photo of the book above on a marquee display. I may not have been invited to the goings-on that night, but I quickly jotted down the name of the book with the cover that appealed to my summer-lovin’ soul—The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook—and later ordered myself a copy.
Sinatra’s diabetic mother, as well as our diabetic patients.
humor abounds, the take-home message is clear: most of us have no idea what is in the cosmetics we put on our body every day, let alone the safety of the myriad of unknown chemical ingredients that go into them.
fish in the refrigerator, not the kitchen counter. Set aside any extra sauce you wish to use for basting before it touches the raw foods. We also follow the American Cancer Society warning to trim off visible fat before grilling, and cook it at a higher rack position so that it is farther from the heat. (Use only the minimum number of flames sources needed on your grill in order to reduce exposure to higher temperatures.)
garden. (This week, I even cut and zip locked our own fresh basil, oregano, mint, and chives to take on vacation with us!)
the perks of fresh fruits and vegetable—phytonutrients, antioxidants, carotenoids, fiber, enzymes, and so on. My personal favorite is asparagus on the grill—a family favorite and mainstay that can
about sitting around a fire source as our ancestors have for centuries to warm ourselves as well as to celebrate rituals, tell stories, sing and chant, or dance to an eternal drum beat. All that is conjured up in spirit as we move outside in warmer months to be more at one with the earth.
and cause a strain on the organ. This problem may manifest as shortness of breath, palpitations, rapid heart rhythm, irregular or skipped heart beats, discomfort in the chest, or ankle swelling.
posted on the topic. I’d like to take the opportunity to answer a sound question from a concerned mom, because it is exemplary of what folks often ask us in the office that all of you can benefit from it. 
